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b"Follow journalist Simon Parker as he takes part in the world\\u2019s craziest race: 2,500-miles and two weeks across the length of India \\u2026 in a rickshaw. You read that right. Welcome to the Rickshaw Run: if Monty Python went on a road trip, this is what they\\u2019d do.\\n\\nThe rickshaw, if you haven\\u2019t ridden one before, if perhaps the least suitable vehicle on the planet for long distance travel. Used commonly across many parts of Asia, it\\u2019s basically a three-wheeled moped with a roof on it and room for a couple of passengers to squash in the backseat. It has no sides. It falls over often. Top speed is a rip-roaring 14mph. And you will breakdown. Often. It has been described as a \\u2018marginally glorified lawnmower\\u2019, which is actually doing a disservice to many top of the line grasscutters. But none of that matters, because, by God, they\\u2019re fun to drive.\\n\\nAnd that\\u2019s the point. Dreamt up by a load of nutters called The Adventurists, the Rickshaw Run is all about challenging yourself with proper adventure, whilst belly-laughing at your own ridiculousness at the same time. Simon and four mates travelled from the far reaches of northern India, in the shadow of the Himalayas, all the way to the steamy jungles of Kerala on the southern coast. There is no set route. No pre-planned stops or hotels. No convoy or safety car or back up of any kind. Smart phones are scoffed at; Google maps are barred. They simply set off with a pocket map of India and a vague sense of where the finish line was. What happened in between, well, no one could be sure except that there would be chaos, there would be tears and, travelling on back roads and well off the well-beaten track, they would see a side to India that most visitors never see. Are you ready to set off on the wackiest, most ridiculous race on the planet? Let\\u2019s go.\\n\\xa0Highlights:\\n\\nTake part in the world\\u2019s most ridiculous road trip: 2,500 miles across India in a glorified lawnmower\\n\\nBe inspired by the spirit of old school adventure \\u2013 embracing challenges and the unknow\\n\\nExperience a side of India that few tourists ever see, staying in small villages well off the usual traveller trail and seeing the entire country from the far northern Himalayan foothills to the steamy jungles of the south\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\n\\nWho\\u2019s the guest?\\nTravel writer and journalist Simon Parker sails, cycles, climbs, hikes and paraglides around the world in search of the planet\\u2019s most interesting news stories. He writes, films and produces documentaries for the likes of the BBC, The Telegraph and The Independent; and his TV Series Earth Cycle is out now on Amazon Video.\\n\\nIf you\\u2019re listening October-November 2020, you can follow his latest adventure in real time \\u2013 a 1,600-mile cycle across the length of Great Britain from the tip of Shetland to the Isles of Scilly, wild camping along the way. He posts great photos, and videos, and is a lot of fun to follow. Twitter, Instagram and Facebook is @simonwiparker. His website is www.simonwparker.co.uk\\nFor background information on this episode, including Simon\\u2019s photos from the trip, please visit: www.armchair-explorer.com\\n\\nSocial media: Instagram & Twitter @aaronmwriter / Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast\\n\\nArmchair Explorer: the world's greatest adventurers tell their best story from the road. Each episode is cut documentary style with music and cinematic effects to create an immersive storytelling experience\\nBook trips inspired by the show at www.armchair-explorer.com or by contacting me at aaron@armchair-explorer.com\\n\\xa0\\n\\xa0\\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices"